We are SAINT MAARTEN Bound this Friday!! We are staying at The Royal Palm and have major plans to sit on the beach daily, enjoy the slow island pace.
A little island background:
Saint Martin (French: Saint-Martin; Dutch: Sint Maarten) is an island in the northeast Caribbean, approximately 186 miles east of Puerto Rico. It is divided roughly 60/40 between France (21 miles) and the Netherlands Antilles (16 miles);it is the smallest inhabited sea island divided between two nations, a division dating to 1648..
Saint Martin (French: Saint-Martin; Dutch: Sint Maarten) is an island in the northeast Caribbean, approximately 186 miles east of Puerto Rico. It is divided roughly 60/40 between France (21 miles) and the Netherlands Antilles (16 miles);it is the smallest inhabited sea island divided between two nations, a division dating to 1648..
We will be staying on the DUTCH side. Beaches are a main attraction on the island of Saint Martin; it has 37 total. Beach Bars and Cafes are very popular attractions with over 300 restaurants offering exquisite cuisines with European and Caribbean inspiration.
We have been planning this trip for a year and knew it was in the middle of Hurricane season...how else do you think we could afford these flights?! We figured we'd take our chances with Mother Nature. Turns out, she sprung HURRICANE EARL (and possibly his little sister, Tropical Storm Fiona) on the Caribbean this week.
"On Monday 8/30/2010, Earl delivered a glancing blow to
several small Caribbean islands, tearing roofs off homes and
knocking out electricity to people in Anguilla, Antigua and
St. Maarten. In Puerto Rico, nearly 187,000 people were
without power and 60,000 without water, Cruise ships were diverted and flights canceled across the region. But there were no reports of deaths or serious injuries.
Islanders gathered to watch big waves pound the shore as the
wind sent sand and salt spray flying."
several small Caribbean islands, tearing roofs off homes and
knocking out electricity to people in Anguilla, Antigua and
St. Maarten. In Puerto Rico, nearly 187,000 people were
without power and 60,000 without water, Cruise ships were diverted and flights canceled across the region. But there were no reports of deaths or serious injuries.
Islanders gathered to watch big waves pound the shore as the
wind sent sand and salt spray flying."
"The eye of Hurricane Earl passed 40 miles north of St. Maarten
- St. Martin in the morning hours of August 30th. The storm brought plenty of rain and strong winds, but did not cause any serious damage. Business, banks, the International Airport and other offices have reopened Tuesday at 12pm. Tropical Storm Fiona is expected to grace the island on Wednesday, but forecast wind speeds are modest and will
not create problems. Resorts and most business on the Dutch side are
running on generator power, as the local utility company has decided
not to restore service until Fiona has passed. Residents are not thrilled
about this policy."
- St. Martin in the morning hours of August 30th. The storm brought plenty of rain and strong winds, but did not cause any serious damage. Business, banks, the International Airport and other offices have reopened Tuesday at 12pm. Tropical Storm Fiona is expected to grace the island on Wednesday, but forecast wind speeds are modest and will
not create problems. Resorts and most business on the Dutch side are
running on generator power, as the local utility company has decided
not to restore service until Fiona has passed. Residents are not thrilled
about this policy."
**Roy & Merrie, Krystle, Katelyn, Jessy, Paul and I begin our adventure on Friday If big, burly Earl doesn't hold us captive at the airport. He is currently gunning for the east coast coast where we are all flying out of different cities at different times. I hope we can all make it and meet up with out too much travel havoc! (famous last words?)
SO STAY TUNED!! The following post will be of an extremely sad and stranded Kim OR of a relaxed and happy KIM that made it to St Maarten!!
We are crossing our fingers for you, check out the runway, the planes fly right over the beach, it is really awesome. Aunt Ann & Uncle Ken
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